Shloka 9
ब्राह्मणस्य पूर्वतरा वृत्तिः — The Earlier Ideal Conduct of a Brahmana
River-of-Saṃsāra Metaphor
समृद्धमात्रे त्रैलोक्ये प्रीतियुक्ते स्वयम्भुवि | पूर्वकालमें जब दैत्यों और दानवोंका संहार करनेवाला देवासुर-संग्राम समाप्त हो गया
samṛddhamātre trailokye prītiyukte svayambhuvi | rudrair vasubhir ādityair aśvibhyām api cārṣibhiḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：“当三界昌盛，且自生的造物主梵天满怀欢悦；当诸神四方受敬—在毗湿奴化作侏儒（婆摩那）以步履丈量三界、而行百祭的因陀罗成为诸天之王之后—四姓之人各安其业，各住其法。那时，三界之主因陀罗乘御王象爱罗婆多，神辉赫奕，四牙端丽，出游三界；其左右环侍者，有诸鲁陀罗、婆苏、阿底提耶、阿湿毗尼双神与诸仙人，并有乾闼婆、那伽、悉达与持明者等。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents an ethical-cosmic ideal: when divine authority is rightly established and worship is properly directed, human society stabilizes through adherence to one’s dharma (varṇa-dharma), producing prosperity and general well-being—an image of order (ṛta/dharma) reflected both in heaven and on earth.
After the gods’ victory and Viṣṇu’s Vāmana/Trivikrama act of measuring the three worlds, Indra becomes firmly enthroned as king of the gods. With the worlds flourishing and Brahmā pleased, Indra rides Airāvata and tours the three worlds, accompanied by major divine groups (Rudras, Vasus, Ādityas, Aśvins) and other celestial beings.